C30 with 200k miles - would you buy it?

[Jerry1975]

Hi there,

I am in need of a second car as a bit of a cheap runabout for the next 12-18 months and a garage local to me is selling a 2007 Volvo C30 2.0D with 200,000 miles on the clock for peanuts (i.e. £1000ish)

Its very tidy, seems to drive okay and has FSH including all belts done etc. though I am unsure if its on the original clutch/flywheel etc.

Having heard a million horror stories about the 2.0 PSA engine with its oil issues and so on, would any of you buy it if you were me, or am I risking taking on no end of problems that would render it poor value for money?

Any experiences, feedback or advice would be very helpful.

J

[T5Sweep]

I never buy cars in mileage, some of the best motors I've owned have been to the moon and back. So long as it's had everything it needs doing at the right intervals then I wouldn't worry about it.

[T5R92011]

Would I buy it? Not a chance. For these reasons:

1) £1,000 is not (imo) "cheap runaround" money.
2) It's a 200,000 mile Euro 4 diesel engine, so will likely be blocked with soot.
3) In my time of ownership, it wasn't that great on MPG.
4) Limp Home mode is irritating when you've just pulled out to overtake and it cuts all power.

If I was going to spend £1k on a Volvo that was "cheap" to run, it would be something like an old V40 1.9D

Otherwise, I'd be going for an unfashionable Honda or Suzuki.

[Jerry1975]

Thanks for the replies peeps..

From what I've seen the car has covered 20,000+ miles each year for all of its life, which suggests a lit of motorway mileage which is good for wear and tear on the drivetrain and also for it not being too sooted up.

Also, diesel engines being sooted up isn't really that much of a problem if the turbo is still in good order. Its not too expensive to get it completely cleaned out and the EGR blanked off.

What kind of MPG did you get from mixed driving just out of interest?

J

[Welton]

Sounds like you've already made the choice to buy it!

Diesel sooting up can be cleaned out etc but it's more about the problems it throws at you before you reach that stage, like numerous limp-modes and code reads/diagnosing or guessing at parts replacement etc....gets expensive.

If I was going to spend sub £1,000.00 I would definitely avoid anything 'modern' say, post 2003, and go for a late 90's proper Volvo for about £500.00 what's not to like?

A nice 1999 V70 petrol would be ace as a cheap runaround and people won't judge you, they'll just think you're a bit quirky/cool.

[scoobysn7x]

I would say theyre are probably better options for £1k, at 200k a lot of things will probably need doing for the 2nd time, timing belt will be due etc, I'd be worried a bout the clutch as well especially with if it the original.

I run a 2013 V60 D4 that I purchased with 124k on it and I was wary of buying it, the mileage did put me off a bit. In the end I decided to take a punt and go and see what it was like. It was immaculate and all motorway miles, the most extensive service history I've seen (service twice a year at a volvo dealer) and most importantly it drove really well. so I got it.

So I wouldn't necessarily be put off by the mileage but 200k is a lot, and the 2.0D doesnt seem to be the most reliable engine, as other have said an older model with a D5 engine maybe a better option

[phil1968]

Originally Posted by T5R92011

Otherwise, I'd be going for an unfashionable Honda or Suzuki.

...or Toyota

[Jerry1975]

Thanks again guys

I've certainly not made my mind up to buy it at all and completely agree that at that sort of mileage it will probably need another belt/water pump change and the clutch (if its the original) will certainly be on its last legs, and then there's every possibility of the turbo packing in too..

Its had its rear shocks replaced and had plenty of other fettling done by all accounts so I'll give it a good thrash and see what rattles and what other noises it makes before deciding.

What you guys have said here pretty much confirms a lot of what I was thinking anyway.

I've also seen a decent V50 D5 with 50k less miles under the wheels for double the price. More outlay yes, but a far stronger engine, more practicality and possibly more peace of mind

Lets see...

J

[Bendolfc]

Check the VIN number, if the 8th character is a 4 (Euro 4) then it is unlikely to have a DPF and shouldn't have too many issues, if it is a 5 (Euro 5) then it will and it is probably worth avoiding.

My Euro 3 S40 is on 200K and in the 120K I've put on it, the engine has never caused any issues (other than the alternator).

[iainmd]

I wouldn't entertain that age and mileage of a C30. Like others have said, it's a better idea to get something that's cheaper to fix if it goes wrong and that's less likely to go wrong in the first place.

Volvo parts prices ensure that no fix is a cheap fix.